The court upheld a previous ruling in a lawsuit brought against Longmont by industry group Colorado Oil and Gas Association, the state agency Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission and operator Top Operating.

The groups that filed as citizen intervenors in support of Longmont's claim that a city should be able to ban hydraulic fracturing responded to the court's decision with outrage.

Lauren Petrie with Food & Water Watch, one of the intervenor groups, released a joint statement with other organizations that said the Colorado Supreme Court decision "strips all Coloradans of their Constitutional right to say no to fracking in their communities."

Kaye Fissinger, president of intervening group Our Health, Our Future, Our Longmont, said the court's decision was "beyond comprehension."

"The state has declared that fostering oil and gas development is in its interests," Fissinger said. "That the court apparently equates a government interest superior to human rights is a severe slap in the face. Our country's founding fathers are most certainly turning over in their graves."

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The Sierra Club and Earthworks both also intervened on Longmont's behalf in the case.

"Straight out of Orwell's 'Animal Farm,' the Colorado Supreme Court just decided that the oil and gas industry is 'more equal' than other industries," Earthworks energy program director Bruce Baizel said a statement.

Karen Dike, representing the Sierra Club, said, "The ruling places profit of corporations before people and will allow the continuing onslaught of this dangerous industry."

U.S. Rep. Jared Polis, D-Boulder, said in a statement that he was disappointed in the court's decision, but was encouraged by the local land-use authority language in the decision.

"It's a blow to democracy and local control," Polis said in a statement. "Now that the law has been interpreted, it's up to the state Legislature or the people of Colorado to act to protect our neighborhoods and homes. I look forward to continuing to help advocates in these efforts to protect our communities."

State Rep. Mike Foote, D-Lafayette, said in a statement on his Facebook page that he was also disappointed, yet encouraged by the land-use language.

"Local governments and their residents should have a meaningful say in what happens in their neighborhoods. Nothing in this opinion changes that possibility," Foote wrote.

Foote also said the decision would do nothing to slow down measures that fracking opponents hope to get on the state ballot in November. There are signature-gathering efforts underway for those initiatives.

Gov. John Hickenlooper struck a neutral tone in a statement released by his office Monday.

"We appreciate the Supreme Court's guidance on balancing private property rights and local government jurisdiction of oil and gas operations in Colorado," Hickenlooper said in the statement. "We believe collaboration is better than litigation and careful regulation is better than legislation to strike balance. We'll continue to work creatively and energetically with communities and industry to ensure our world-class environment is protected while remaining a place that is welcoming to business and jobs."

Colorado Attorney General Cynthia Coffman said in a statement that she thought the ruling would not stop some activists. Coffman's office represented the state agency COGCC in the case.

"Sadly I fear today's ruling will not end this divisive debate and instead some activists will continue to push anti-development initiatives undermining the state's record of local cooperation on these policy issues," Coffman said in her statement.

U.S. Rep. Ken Buck, R-Windsor, said through a spokesman that he believes an outright ban on oil and gas development "hurts Colorado families."

"Let's work together to achieve the right balance between energy development and the interests of local communities," Buck said.

Vital for Colorado, a business association, celebrated the decision.

"The oil and natural gas industry has a tremendous impact on our small and large businesses, nonprofits and labor organizations," Bob Golden, a Vital for Colorado board member and South Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce president, said in a news release. "This certainty following today's decision should help with Colorado's energy recovery by getting people back to work and producing more opportunities for supporting businesses and contractors."

The Colorado Petroleum Council released a statement to the same effect, saying the decision was good for the economy and consumers.

"Today's decision protects private property rights, which are a main driver the for the energy renaissance in this country," Colorado Petroleum Council Executive Director Tracee Bentley said in a news release.

The Colorado GOP Press Office released a statement calling the decision "an enormous win for individual property rights and responsible resource development in Colorado."

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